Boston PIC Unanimously Approves Three Public-Way Licenses for Longwood Cancer Hospital Project

BOSTON — May 7, 2026 — Boston's Public Improvement Commission approved three public-way licenses clearing the path for construction of a planned cancer hospital in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area at its May 7 meeting. The commission, chaired by Nick Gove, Interim Chief of Streets, voted unanimously to grant a temporary earth retention license and two private utility licenses — covering a temporary drain overflow pipe and a temporary electric duct bank — along Jocelyn Place, Brookline Avenue, Pilgrim Road, and Deaconess Road in Roxbury, all on behalf of joint petitioners Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Howard Mosher of engineering firm VHB presented all three items, noting that no public comments or commission objections had been raised at the April 23 new business session or at Thursday's hearing. One commission member abstained on the drain pipe vote; all others were in favor on every item. The commission also continued to its May 21 meeting a petition by Washington 3458 LLC for sidewalk repairs and pedestrian easements tied to a proposed 36-unit mixed-use development at 3458 Washington Street in West Roxbury, after a city site visit found the existing pedestrian ramp at Washington Street and Kent Road to be non-compliant with slope requirements.